Search Continues for Missing Diver After Solo Dive at Torre Faro, Sicily
UPDATE, 19 September 2026: Search operations for missing diver Antonio Ridolfi are continuing in the Strait of Messina, with no confirmed recovery reported.
During the search, the Italian Coast Guard recovered Ridolfi’s emergency marker buoys off Papardo, several kilometres south of his reported entry point at Torre Faro. The devices were attached to a line approximately 20 metres long.
Italian authorities and local media have suggested that the length of the line could indicate the marker was deployed from around that depth. However, this has not established what happened to Ridolfi or the circumstances that led to his disappearance.
Following the discovery, underwater searches have concentrated particularly on the waters around Papardo, while other areas of the Strait remain part of the operation. Strong currents in the Strait of Messina have complicated deeper underwater searches.
Italian public broadcaster Rai has also identified Ridolfi as a member of the Italian Navy serving in Ancona. He has been described as an experienced diver who was using a rebreather and underwater propulsion vehicle during the dive.
As of 19 September, Italian media reported that Ridolfi had still not been located.
A 49 year old experienced diver has been reported missing after entering the water for a solo dive at Torre Faro, near Messina, with search operations continuing through the night and into Thursday morning.
A major search operation is underway in the Strait of Messina after a diver failed to return from an immersion off Torre Faro on Wednesday, 16 September.
La Sicilia identified the missing diver as 49 year old Antonio Ridolfi. According to the newspaper, surveillance footage helped investigators reconstruct his movements before the dive. Ridolfi reportedly arrived in the coastal village by car at around 11:00, parked near Via Palazzo, unloaded his diving equipment and entered the water at approximately 11:25. He was reportedly carrying an underwater scooter.
His vehicle remained parked near the shoreline many hours later, prompting further efforts to establish his identity and movements.
Friends who had been unable to contact him later raised the alarm, according to separate local reports. Search operations were subsequently launched by the Italian Coast Guard in the waters north of Messina.
Search continued through the night
Two Coast Guard patrol boats were initially deployed, supported by personnel searching from shore. During the night, the operation was expanded to include a Guardia di Finanza patrol vessel and a Coast Guard helicopter equipped for nighttime searching.
With daylight on Thursday morning, Coast Guard divers were expected to begin underwater searches while further aerial searches continued.
Local reports describe Ridolfi as an experienced and certified diver. Some reports also state that he was using technical diving equipment, including what was described as a closed circuit breathing system, as well as an underwater propulsion vehicle. These equipment details have not yet been confirmed in an official Coast Guard statement.
TempoStretto has reported that the missing diver is a member of the Italian Navy. Other reports have described him more cautiously as a military serviceman. Diventures has not independently confirmed his military affiliation.
Strong currents complicate operations
The waters around Torre Faro form part of the Strait of Messina, an area known for powerful and rapidly changing currents.
Local reports citing rescuers and people familiar with the area said the currents during the period of the search could become particularly strong, potentially carrying a diver a considerable distance from the original entry point.
The area is also known among divers for several wreck sites. However, there has been no official confirmation that Ridolfi was attempting to reach a particular wreck when he disappeared.
At this stage, authorities have not announced what may have happened during the dive. There is no confirmed information indicating an equipment malfunction, medical emergency or other specific cause.
Search teams are continuing to examine the coastline, surface waters and underwater areas around Torre Faro.
Diventures will update this article as confirmed information becomes available.
